Survey offers military members opportunity to determine utility allowance, deadline extended

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing public affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Home utilities are expensive, but if you're finding they're too expensive for your budget, it may be your own fault.

It's not because you're leaving your lights and TV on all day or turning the thermostat up too high, but because the amount you get paid for utilities is ultimately up to you. All that's required is half an hour of your time.

While it's not a matter of writing down a dollar amount and getting it in your paycheck each month, the Overseas Housing Allowance - Utility Allowance amount is based on feedback gathered by the OHA Utility Survey, which is currently underway and wraps up Dec. 21, 2012.

The survey is available online at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/octutil.cfm and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The data collected is analyzed by the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee and is used to adjust the rates paid to military members stationed overseas.

In order to take the survey, you have to be a uniformed service member who has been stationed here for at least six months, but the survey is conducted annually so newcomers will get their turn. Supervisors are highly encouraged to ensure their Airmen are aware of the survey and its impact on their finances.

Service members should take care to thoroughly consider their answers when completing the online questionnaire. The utility survey covers more than just water, electricity and gas - it includes utilities such as firewood, bottled drinking water, trash pickup, maintenance and repair costs, certain insurances, and other recurring fees.

Either the service member or their spouse can take the survey, but the 100th Comptroller Squadron recommends couples complete it together. Common access card login is not a requirement, so the survey can be completed at home.

Only you know how much it costs to live comfortably within your means overseas, which is why it's crucial that every service member take the time to complete the OHA utility survey.

For more information, contact the 100th Comptroller Squadron at DSN: 238-2387, Commercial: 01638-54-2387, or via email at: 100CPTS.FMFS@mildenhall.af.mil, or check out the OHA Utility Survey Guide.